Harness-strap protector and coupling



April 8, 1924. 1,4 9,503

' J. C. NICHOLS HARNESS STRAP PROTECTOR AND COUPLING Filed May 22. 1923 ,nl I "HQ hlnJ y I iiilllllm :IIIIIIIMIM ml MW I I gJ/r/o'an a 1 John ELNI S11E15 Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOHN G. NICHOLS, on snEB'oYeAN, WISCONSIN.

maNnss-sraar rnornoron AND COUPLING.

Application filed May 22, 1923. Serial No. 640,682.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN C. Nronons, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Sheboygan, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Harness-Strap Protectors and Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact-description thereof.

This invention relates to harness strap protector and coupling. T

This case constitutes one of a series of cases filed simultaneously having elements cooperating to form a harness without stitching.

In a number of difierent places on harness leather straps are looped through metal rings, Ds, or similar members. This construction results in rapid wear of the strap, and gradually forms a groove therein interfering with subsequent adjustment of the strap.

This invention is designed to overcome the above noted defects, and objects of such invention are to provide a harness strap protector and coupling which fully protects the strap, which insures a metal to metal contact, which permits ready adjustment of the strap even after long periods of use, which holds the strap in encircling relation to a hook, and which so holds the strap that the ring is at all times positioned within the hook.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the harness strap protector and coupling.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device with the strap detached.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1. V

Figure 4 is an edge view of the device detached from the strap.

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing a slightly different use of the device.

Figure 6 is a modified form of the device.

The harness strap protector and coupling comprises a body portion which is composed of side members 1 (see Figures 1 and 2) which gradually merge into parallel side walls 2. The forward portion of the body part is integrally joined to an upwardly and rearwardly extending hook 3. A transverse strap-guiding member 4 extends and above the main part of the body portion. located closely adjacent the free end of the hook 3. A second transverse strap-guiding across the space between the side walls 2 s This strap-guiding transverse. bar is bar 5 is located rearwardlyand below the; bar 4, and on the oppositeIside of the center line of the device from the bar 4:. 1

In using the apparatus, the book 3 is hooked into a ring or D. If a ring is employed the hook is rounded along itsniargins or end, if it engages thestraight' por--- tion of a D, the book 3 may be widened and may be flatter.

A strap 6 is passed over the transverse bar 5 and around the hook 3, is brought back and passed beneath the bar 4:. as shown in Figure 1. This strap it will be seen, completely encircles the hook and the major part of the body portion, such body portion, if desired, being provided with ribs 7 (see Figure 3) upon opposite sides which adually merge into the side walls 2 to aid in the guiding of the strap.

It will be seen that the strap completely encircles the hook and the engaging ring and relieves the hook of the major portion of the strain.

It will also be seen that the apparatus provides a metal to metal contact and. prevents rapid wearing ofthe strap. Also the loop of the strap may be most readily and easily adjusted as there are no worn grooves or creases formed in the strap even after extended use.

It may be desirable at times to have only one portion of the strap projecting from the device. This is readily accomplished by threading the strap 6 (see Figure 5) be-. neath the transverse bar 4, around the hoo 3, and around the outer side of the transverse bar 5, the end 8 of the strap being turned in over the bar 5 and secured by a rivet 9.

The modified form shown in Figure 6 is similar to that previously described except that the body portion is provided with eyelets 10 extending laterally from opposite sides thereof. This form is particularly ap- It will be seen that a harness strap protector and coupling member has been provided which may be very cheaply manufactured, which is reinforced by the stra and thus relieved of excessive stresses an which prevents rapid wear of the strap by the ring or member to which the device is hooked.

It will further be seen that by this con struction stitching is wholly avoided and the ring engaged by the hook is prevented from leaving the hook or becoming disengaged therefrom as the strap is held closely to the open or freeend of the hook by the closely spaced transverse member 4.

Although certain forms of the invention have been described in considerable detail and certain uses thereof enumerated, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention may be embodied in different forms and may be applied to difierent portions of the harness. It is, therefore, understood that the invention is to be limited only as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A harness strap protector and coupling comprising skeleton side frames gradually converging and turning upwardly as the forward end is approached and merging into an inwardly directed relatively narrowed hook member, said side frames extending upwardly intermediate their ends and then downwardly and rearwardly, an upper transverse bar located in close proximity to the inner end of said hook and joining said upwardly extending intermediate portion of said side frames, and a lower transverse bar joining the downwardly and rearwardly extending portions of said side frames.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing Wisconsin.

JOHN C. NICHOLS. 

